Behind the lens and the pen with Rita Jacques Inspiring author and photographer

Category: Homeless

I’ve always loved sunflowers since I was a youngster. The towering yellow flowers make me smile. Dad wouldn’t plant them in the front yard like I requested back then. However, in later years, he always planted a row of sunflowers at the edge of his vegetable garden right up until his last summer. This year,… Continue reading A Growing Tribute

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Ryan was barely able to keep his eyes open as he ate his lunch at the homeless shelter. He bought his shoes from his friend recently. What is your biggest struggle with poverty on a daily basis? “Shelter. I’ve been living on the street on and off for about five years. Sometimes I crash at… Continue reading Their Shoes #39

Mixing things up a bit for this week’s edition of Their Shoes. A follow-up good news edition! Cynthia from Their Shoes #29 rushed to the counter while I was serving sandwiches recently at the homeless shelter. She could hardly contain herself waiting for me to finish talking to a young man being served. “Guess what? I… Continue reading Their Shoes #38

Carl received his shoes from his cousin, Justin. “The shoes are a size 10. I’m a size 13. And they’re women’s shoes. But, I’m not complaining.” What is your biggest struggle with poverty on a daily basis? “Shelter. I’ve been living on the street for three days now. I was staying with my sister but… Continue reading Their Shoes #37

Michael started volunteering at the homeless shelter at the end of May because his friend, Brent helped out here. Michael bought his shoes at National Sports. What is your biggest struggle with poverty on a daily basis? “I personally don’t struggle with poverty but from what I’ve seen here at the shelter, I think clothing… Continue reading Their Shoes #36

“Michael” asked that his real name not be used. He obtained his shoes from the local detox centre. What is your biggest struggle with poverty on a daily basis? “Clothing! I’ve lost all my good clothes. I only have a few articles which are decent. I lost them over time when I was homeless. When… Continue reading Their Shoes #35

Mike received his shoes from a drop-in centre in Ottawa last month. What is your biggest struggle with poverty on a daily basis? “Shelter! I’m staying at the Salvation Army right now. It’s not that bad. I have a bed and a locker. They’ve lined me up with a worker already, too. I’ve nowhere else… Continue reading Their Shoes #34